Staff Attorney

PWDF seeks a Staff Attorney (SA), including senior and managing attorneys. People With Disabilities Foundation (PWDF) is a small nonprofit located in San Francisco which focuses on equal access for clients with psychiatric or developmental disabilities. Approximately 70% of cases are SSI and SSDI disability hearings and appeals. The rest are disability rights (discrimination). See www.pwdf.org. Applicants should look at website before applying to understand the scope of our work and submit a more meaningful cover letter.

Compensation: $75,000-$90,000 base salary for full-time (35 hours per week), DOE. Minimum 1 to 2 years' recent experience for Staff Attorney; minimum 5 years' experience for senior and supervising attorney. Applicants who are interested in part-time should state so in cover letter. Salary for part-time will be pro-rated. Benefits include health and dental insurance, vacation hours, commuter checks, etc., after 90 days. 6 months' probation. Holidays from start.

Duties:

(1) Must produce results within 6 to 12 months to continue in position.

(2) Oversee disability rights issues, including for representation in federal court; Social Security/SSI disability, employment, education, health care, housing, and related subjects.

(3) Oversee legal aspects of seminars, trainings, e-newsletter, training videos, and guest speaking.

(4) Remain updated with respect to both law and psychiatry, e.g., read monthly published studies in APA monthly publication.

(5) Oversee preparation of advocacy reports for Board meetings.

(6) Represent PWDF; e.g., vendor contracts and HR matters.

(7) Communicate and coordinate with other organizations serving our target population.

(8) Monitor income and expenses as necessary; prepare reports relating to advocacy side of Agency.

(9) Current affairs and research requirement; responsible for keeping abreast of mental health and disability issues, e.g., keeping up to date in relevant health care articles and governmental agencies’ reports.

(10) Other duties as requested.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be results-oriented, highly organized, and will possess the ability to work and communicate in diverse communities. Must be reliable, flexible and able to work within deadlines e.g., work with bookkeeper, program managers, other attorneys and paralegals. Proficient computer skills required, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Most importantly, candidates must be committed to providing advocacy for people with primarily but not exclusively mental and/or developmental disabilities (DD) and/or neurological impairments and must be willing to work enthusiastically toward achieving PWDF’s mission. See www.pwdf.org

Additional qualifications:

Required:

1. Licensed California attorney. SA minimum 1-2 years relevant experience, e.g., civil rights nonprofit experience and litigation in federal court. Minimum 5 years' relevant experience for senior and supervising attorney.

2. Exceptional communication skills, ability to write clearly, including attention for detail.

3. A record of achievement in leading teams of people.

4. Preferred: Experience in Social Security/SSI disability is very helpful, employment, health care, housing, Medicare, Med-Cal, post-secondary education.

This is at a non-profit organization. Principals only. Recruiters please do not contact this job poster.

Please do not apply if you do not already live within commuting distance. To apply, submit cover letter, resume and writing sample. NO CALLS PLEASE.